Glen Garioch 1989 (Whisky Agency)

The new releases from The Whisky Agency and the Liquid Sun series were also present at Spirits in the Sky. While the Liquid Sun labels have an astronomy / astrology theme, the TWA labels seem to depict scenes from early hot air balloons and other airships (update: it’s called Early Flying). We’ll start with this Glen Garioch 1989.

Also new from The Whisky Agency: Littlemill 1991, Linkwood 1980 and a fourth one that I don’t remember (update: Bunnahabhain 1980). The Liquid Sun series includes Littlemill 1988, Glen Spey 1988, Tobermory 1994 and Longmorn 1992.

 

 

Glen Garioch 1989 - The Whisky AgencyGlen Garioch 25 yo 1989 (50,3%, The Whisky Agency ‘Early flying’ 2014, refill hogshead, 246 btl.)

Nose: similar to the Glen Garioch 1989 in the Perfect Dram series, which is good news. A ripe fruitiness (stewed apples and melons), with a chalky, mineral side and something in between mint and pine trees. Some waxy notes. Surprisingly sweet and austere at the same time, with traces of Clynelish indeed.

Mouth: more austerity now. Chalk, lots of (half burnt) grassy notes and grapefruits. One or two aspiring tablets. Ginger. More medicinal notes and a faint hint of smoke. Pretty raw but a style that’s rarely seen any more.

Finish: medium long, grassy, with lemon zest and mineral notes.

Very much in line with the Perfect Dram bottling. Seductive on the nose, rather austere on the palate. Really interesting whisky. It should arrive in stores later this month. Around € 140.

Score: 88/100